This is a very unusual film about someone who has chosen to live in a remote jungle on the island of Maui in Hawaii, living out his understanding of Buddhism in a natural environment.
Michael Behrens was something of a mathematics prodigy, who studied and made contributions in his field up and till the age of 29 when he decided to take a break and went to Hawaii for the first time.
At some point he has also studied under a Tibetan lama and most of his understanding of Buddhism stems from this. He lives basically as a hermit in a very remote setting, that he constantly has to keep clear, where he has built himself a house, and has a lovely garden.
The film includes extracts from interviews with Michael in which he talks about how his understanding of mathematics, quantum theory and emptiness shape the way he sees the world, and how he puts that understanding into practice.
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Lovely film. I felt very connected to the thoughts Michael shared and his connection with the land that brings so much peace and joy
Lovely and inspiring. So glad I have found your site!
I loved the film. I can relate completely to Michael’s way of life. His life would suit me just fine.
Deborah Shaw Hickerson
Intriguing indeed. As a scientist and ecumenical person of faith, much deeply resonates here. Would love to talk story with Michael. His way “seeing” belies a special kind of humanity that we often call savant. In Michael’s case brilliant and at the same time deeply sensitive to the life of the cosmos. Not surprised that left society to live as he does.
Michael embodies the liberation many of us seek. He conveys that which is lost after childhood in a way that stirs one’s soul to go reclaim it. Such a blessing is Michael and this film.
It is a nice human bieng, I don’t know if I can call him enlightened, but for true a close to a real human bieng.
Glad I could watch the movie and know about my new preferred human bieng.
Thanks for share.
I makes me sure that I am not alone in my belives that we can think about a new way of live with equality, liberty and fraternity for all human biengs.
Wich I could have this karma.
Paulo
I was in Bodhgaya, India in December 1973 to attend the first Kalachakra Initiation. I also was able to take the Chenrezi Initiation from Kalu Rinpoche.
Later, in February I took my first of eventually many Vipassana courses with S.N. Goenka.
I enjoyed your video. I have focussed my attention on anicca, the arising and passing away trillions of times per second with the equanimity and the absolute conviciton of the illusion of I, me, mine.
I now live in Thailand.
Hello, watching this I thought wait a minute I know him, I lived on Maui from late 70s to early 90s. I would love to be able to say hello, is that possible?
Very sorry about the fires and loss of life in Maui. Is Michael Behrens safe?
Exactly why I came to this space. I hope he and his gorgeous mandala of a home and garden are safe.
He lives on a completely different part of the island nowhere close to the fires.
Thank you very much for the information Danielle.
Thank you for your response. I also checked the list of not found and didn;t see his name on the list. May he keep living beautifully and may all the affected be healed.
Hi Danielle,
I am moved to connect with Michael. Do you have any contact for him?
Blessings,
Melissa
I too am a great admirer of Michael and would like to know if he is safe,may he be safe and all sentient beings be well and free from suffering 🙏
A Beautyful and consoling film and a dep beautyful soul. I (will ) watch this film over and over for inspiration.
I hope Michael is safe.
Metta
Claudia
I pray that Michael is safe. I had a baby boy with Warren Chase, an old friemd of Michael. Michael came to the UCLA hospital to keep Warren company and brought him some icecream while I was in labor. We named our son Seth Michael Chase after Michael. Warren has now passed. Never forgot Michael.
What a being of grace.
One who lives a poetic existence in a seeming heaven realm.
I too hope none of the flames of destruction came upon this mindfully tended sanctuary he resides with in harmony.
I have rarely witnessed a human so blessed and wise.
What a mystical perch to observe the Golden Mean as it lives and breathes on this wonderous planet.
Inspired to be silent, inspired to find a hidden corner of earth to emulate some facet of his groove, with my own machete…
In awe, hoping all is well for him.
This intrigued me last year and now it came back to me. I am concerned….
Are Michael and his area safe? It is a loss unimaginable in Maui. My tears are from my heart. Thank you for this wondrous imagery and dialogue. Much appreciate your being.
🪷🙏🪷 Nameste
Such a beautiful documentary!
Michael’s compassion for humanity as well as his connection to nature is so touching.
He truly lives Buddhas teachings.
A timely reminder of what really matters. No greater joy than to live in a hand-built house in the jungle, create a beautiful garden and then go play with the dolphins. When I see what humans are doing to the natural world and the innocent beings we share it with, I just want to cry with despair.
From my heart and soul, thank you.
Loved the film and Michael’s energy! I also had a similar experience at sea during a big swell in Venezuela at a surfing beach called Los Caracas…I remember fear led to acceptance and then to just being in the moment which in the end saved my Life.
Karmapa chenno!
For all of those that liked to know if Michael is safe, here is the latest update from him.
I am well if a bit old. Doing lots of yoga and walking. I enjoy the daily comments on the film. – Love Michael.
https://youtu.be/X_XVisCvUBs?si=6CQW6C5JlOD-uRb0
I’m so very inspired by you Michael! I would love to connect with you via email to talk about the magic of swimming with Dolphins, I’ve only had the privilege 3 times in my life..and would love to hear and understand more about those experiences.
Warmly,
Shannon Tackett
I knew Michael in 1970. I was a student at Boston University. He was a professor at Cal Berkeley. We spent February, 1971 together in Berkeley.
interesting take on this experience we’ve been given. I don’t know mathematics like he does. All I know is to be present.
Thank You for this video about Michael Behrens.
I am also different than other people, other men
I seen to have an ability to know when someone needs a phone call.
My own grown kids tell me all the time, how did you know to call Dad.
I was working a delivery job for a high end upholstery company, driving from Orange County, Ca. to Be early Hills, Carlsbad, etc.
I felt this pulling to stop at my parents house, that they rented, where I grew up, where my mother physically, psychologically & mentally abused me from the time I can remember until I left for the Marine corps, where I forged her signature to get away.
That’s another story,
For nearly two weeks I would stop at the house and wait at least half an hour, when they didn’t return I had to leave to return the delivery van in than drive home in my car
On one of the last times I made an effort, I sat in the shade, outside the front porch, when I felt they weren’t coming I got up to leave and saw my father’s car pulling into the driveway.
I got up and opened the vehicle gates, after they parked we all went inside the house.
I was happy to see them but I felt a cold, silent chill run down my back.
I walked into the kitchen with my dad while my mom sat on a difa in the living room. I told my dad I had been coming every day for tro weeks, he lost his balance, falling to the floor, where I caught him. He wept and was shaking telling me my mother was diagnosed with ALS.
Once he recovered I help him up from the kitchen floor and we sat down together on the kitchen table.
He asked me how did you know to keep coming every day and wait. I told him something was pulling me to stop.
When I was just a child, my parents had numerous friends show up to the house, all of us children were sent to the second neighbors house and were allowed to get in there swimming pool. I was confused and suspicious because we were never allowed to go to that neighbors swimming pool. We were friends with the kids of both homes.
While my brother and sister, both group of kids from both the other houses were excited and laughing, screaming I decided to get out, sneak through the back door if our house.
I quietly approached, hiding behind some furniture, I got closer from this big, open room and I heard woman yelling and screaming. I looked from behind the suda and saw my mother laying in the ground with a bunch of adults trying to wake her up.
When she did wake up, she was still laying in the floor denying that my brother Rene, only 11 years old was dead.
I ran back to the neighbors house and told all the other kids, including my brother and sister that Rene was dead.
They all ran to our house, my mom hated me from that moment on for telling all the kids.
The physical and mental abuse I was already enduring came to an end one night, very late at night.
I woke from sleeping out on clothes and was going to leave, run away, my brother Rene stopped me and told me it’s not my time, that he had as going to leave before me.
A few weeks later Rene woke from his sleep, late at night and ran, yelling and screaming to my parents room. He told them a man, dressed all in black had woken him up saying it was time for him to go.
My parents told him it was only a dream, that week Rene drowned while at a camping trip, with my father’s best friend and his kids. My oldest brother Eddie for nd a home made canoe and they both got on it and pushed it in the water. The canoe began taking in water. They panicked and Eddie stood up and started jumping up and down to get Albert’s attention, the canoe flipped and hit Eddie on the head, knocking him unconscious, while Rene was thrown into the swampy water.
Albert was only able to save Eddie.
Rene was a very special, talented, religious young boy. My mom asked him one time to run to the store to get her something she needed right away for the food she was making.
Rene left without shoes, crossing the bridge on Edgeware and Sunset Blvd to get to the corner store. He was running back when he realized someone driving by had thrown a soda bottle out the window. Known ng how mad my mom would get if he took too long and how she forbid any of us going into the street, Rene ran over the broken glass bottle.
When ho got home he didn’t cry or flinch, he handed my mom what she asked for and told her he had to cross over the broken bottle.
My mom began crying as she sat him down and pulled out the base of the bottle with a huge spiky piece protruding. Rene never cried.
When my mom died she could no longer speak and we had to use an alphabet board to put words together.
She asked me for forgiveness and said she didn’t know better. I had no choice but to forgive her so she could die in peace.
Michael seems to understand the deeper path, pain that many of us go through his ability to feel and sense is what I conn ct too.
Please let Michael know that I would like to exchange friendly messages and talks if he feels so inclined.
I understood from reading the description of the video that Michael now has WiFi to keep in touch with certain people.
Robert